SUCCESS IN SCHOOL MEANS MORE THAN GOOD GRADES
Successful students:

* BELIEVE THEY CAN SUCCEED
in school and in life

*WANT TO LEARN
and try new activities

*CAN SET GOALS
and work on their own to reach them

Successful students are likely to become successful adults.

YOU AND YOUR CHILD ARE A TEAM!
you play a big role in helping your child:

*BUILD A WINNING ATTITUDE
Kids need to know that school matters--and that they matter. You can help your child feel good about school and about him- or herself.

*DEVELOP KEY SKILLS
You can't learn for your child. But, you can help your child build the skills he or she needs to be a better learner.

Even if you weren't a star student yourself, you can help your child. Find out how...

BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL
Your child will follow your lead.

*BE POSITIVE ABOUT LEARNING
Talk about school in an upbeat way to show you value learning. Learn a new skill or take up a new hobby with your child.

*ENJOY LEARNING
Let your child see how much you like learning. Read books, newspaper and magazines often. Watch TV programs shows that teach you something new. Talk about current events at home. Visit museums, libraries, etc., together.

*HAVE A "CAN-DO" ATTITUDE
Face problems head-on. Let your child see that you try your best when you run into a tough task.

SHOW INTEREST IN YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION
Let your child know that school is well worth the effort.

*ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHOOL EVERY DAY
Ask about more than grades, tests and paper. Ask about friends, problems getting along with others, funny events, etc. Try to get the whole picture of your child's life at school.

*LISTEN TO YOUR CHILD
Ask your child to share his or her thoughts and feelings with you. This helps your child learn to express him-or herself clearly.

*GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOL LIFE
Talk to your child's teachers. Ask for parent-teacher conferences. Go to school events whenever you can. Join the parents-teacher group at school or help out in some other way.

Send your child the message that school is "cool"!

HELP YOUR CHILD FEEL SUCCESSFUL
Your child can succeed in class if you:

*KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR CHILD
Not every child can be at the top of the class. Ask your child to do his or her best. But, don't demand more from your child than he or she can do.

*SET GOALS TOGETHER
Help your child set clear goals to work toward. These goals should be a challenge--but not out of reach.

*REWARD EFFORT NOT JUST RESULTS
Praise your child for trying his or her best--no matter what the result.

Help your child find out what success feels like!

ENCOURAGE INDEPENDENCE
Prepare your child to take charge of his or her own life and learning.

*GIVE YOUR CHILD RESPONSIBILITIES
Give your child household chores that he or she can handle. Gently make it clear that you expect results. Increase responsibility as your child get ready.

*OFFER SUPPORT
Let your child know you are there to help him or her meet responsibilities. Offer advice--but be sure your child does the work.

*EXPECT SUCCESS, BUT DON'T PUNISH FAILURE
Encourage your child to always keep trying. Don't punish your child mistakes. Instead, helps your child learn from them. Look for improvement next time.

Being independent is a powerful skill that lasts a lifetime!

CREATE A GOOD STUDY ROUTINE
Most kids work better with a routine. Help your child to:

*ESTABLISH A STUDY TIME
Your child should spend time learning every day. If there's no homework, your child can spend time reading.

*MAKE A SCHEDULE
Work with your child to make a plan for homework and activities. Try to respect your child's choices about when he or she works and plays--within reason.

*STICK WITH THE SCHEDULE
Remind your child that meeting responsibilities is important--including sticking to his or her schedule. Rework the schedule if necessary.

*SET UP A SPEACIAL STUDY PLACE
Help your child pick a place to do homework. Make it comfortable. Provide good lighting and all needed supplies.

MAKE HOMEWORK MEANINGFUL
Homework is a daily part of being a successful student. Help your child make the most of it:

*REMIND YOUR CHILD HOW HOMEWORK HELPS
Point out that homework teaches important lessons about sticking with a task. Also, doing the same exercise again and again helps build skills that won't be easily forgotten.

*ENCOURAGE GOOD WORK HABITS
The goal of homework is to learn by doing--not just finding the right answers as fast as possible. Stress careful, complete effort. Focus on the way your child studies, and let the teacher worry about right and wrong answers.

Remember, homework is your child's responsibility. Be sure your child does the work.

HELP IMPROVE YOUR CHILD'S READING SKILLS

*HAVE LOTS OF READING MATERIAL AROUND
The more your child reads, the better his or her skills will be. Have books, newspapers and magazines handy. Try to visit a library often.

*MAKE READING FUN
Read together. Then, share ideas about what you've read. You will both learn from this!

*TEACH YOUR CHILD TO READ WITH A PURPOSE
For example, this method can help your child get more out of reading:
1.-Scan the piece-read bold words, headings, captions and so on. Look at the graphs and pictures, too.
2.-Ask yourself , "what does this piece seem to be about?"
3.-Read the piece carefully
4.-Write down the main ideas of the piece, or tell someone what they are.
5.-Review what was learned from the reading.

PRACTICE WRITING SKILLS AT HOME

*ENCOURAGE WRITING EVERYDAY LIFE
Suggest that your child write more letters and notes, and use the telephone less. This will help your child discover the importance of writing clearly.

*STRESS A STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH TO WRITING
Have your child follow these steps when writing a report or essay:
1.-Think about the questions the report or essay will answer.
2.-Make an outline to organize information and ideas.
3.-Write a first draft. Use this draft as a starting point; it doesn't need to be perfect the first time around.
4.-Read the draft. Fix errors and make improvements.
5.-Rewrite the report or essay.
6.-Proofread--check for spelling errors and other mistakes.

*READ YOUR CHILD'S WRITING
Be sure to tell your child what you liked about the writing.

HELP BUILD MATH AND SCIENCE SKILLS

*USE "REAL-LIFE" PROBLEMS
Help your child see how you use math and science every day. Point out the use of math and science in money problems, sports, cooking and so on. Work on household projects together.

*HAVE YOUR CHILD TEACH YOU
Ask your child to explain in detail something he or she learned in class today. Teaching others is a great way to learn.

*FIND SOURCES OF HELP
If your child seems to need more help than you can give in math, science or any other subject, call your child's school. Ask what help is available.

WORK TO IMPROVE TEST SCORES
Help your child show what he or she knows on test day.

*AVOID "CRAMMING"
at the last minute. Use a study schedule for upcoming tests.

*BE PHYSICALLY READY
--make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and a good breakfast before a big test.

*USE MEMORY AIDS
Such as:
-Flash cards
-Made-up words whose letters stand for key information. For example, the word HOMES can
help your child remember the five Great Lakes (Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior).

*REVIEW TEST-TAKING TIPS
with your child:

• Read all the directions before answering questions.
  
• Budget time. Don't spend too much time on one problem or section.
  
• Answer all easy questions first.

Test-taking is a skill. You can help your child master it!

OTHER WAYS TO HELP

*ENCOURAGE GOOD HEALTH
--Teach your child healthy habits. Make sure your child eats a variety of healthy foods and gets plenty of rest and exercise every day.

*DONT'S USE SHOOLWORK AS A PUNISHMENT
or threat.

*WORK TO IMPROVE YOUR CHILD'S ATTIDTUDE
and skills--even if he or she already gets good grades.

*BE ALERT TO WARNING SIGNS OF TROUBLE
at school. For example, seek help if your child:

• shows no interest in school
• has trouble sleeping or eating
• shows a major change in grades or behavior.

*HELP YOUR CHILD BE PROUD
of who he or she is. Teach your child to value his or her ethnic background--and to respect others!

*SPOT HEALTH PROBLEMS
before they interfere with learning. Make sure your child has speech, hearing and vision tests.

HELP WRITE YOUR CHILD'S SUCESS STORY!

*GET INVOLVED in your child's education.

*UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE of a good attitude.

*WORK WITH YOUR CHILD to build skills for success.

*BRING OUT THE SUCCESSFUL STUDENT IN YOUR CHILD.